Customizable Scents: Unlike store-bought air fresheners, which usually come in a limited selection of fragrances, making your own allows you to experiment with different combinations of essential oils and scents to create the perfect fragrance for your home.
Eco-Friendly: Many air fresheners are packaged in plastic or aerosol cans, which contribute to waste. By making your own, you can reduce packaging waste and choose environmentally-friendly ingredients.
The Simple Trick: A DIY Natural Air Freshener
The method we’ll cover uses just a few basic items to create a natural and fresh-scented air freshener. Here’s how to do it step by step:
What You Need:
Baking Soda: This common household item is excellent at absorbing odors. It’s a natural deodorizer, which means it will neutralize unwanted smells in your home rather than just masking them like many commercial air fresheners do.
Essential Oils: These oils are derived from plants and have natural aromatic properties. You can choose from a wide range of essential oils depending on the scent you prefer. Popular options include lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint, and orange. Essential oils not only smell great but often have therapeutic properties as well.
A Jar or Small Container: You’ll need something to house the baking soda and essential oils. A glass jar with a lid or a small open container works well. Some people prefer mason jars for their vintage appeal, but you can also use empty spice jars, yogurt containers, or anything that’s clean and ventilated.
A Spoon or Stirring Stick: For mixing the ingredients together.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Prepare the Jar:
- Choose a clean, empty container that will allow air to circulate and release the fragrance. If you're using a mason jar, make sure the lid can be loosened or has holes in it. If not, you can use a piece of fabric or paper towel to cover the top and secure it with a rubber band, allowing the scent to escape.
Add Baking Soda:
- Begin by filling your container with 1/2 to 1 cup of baking soda. The exact amount depends on the size of your container, but typically, 1/2 cup is enough for a small jar that will sit on a shelf or table.
Add Essential Oils:
- Now, it’s time to create your fragrance. Choose 2-3 drops of essential oil to add to the baking soda. If you prefer a stronger scent, you can add more drops (around 5-10, depending on your preference). Here are some popular essential oil combinations:
- Lavender + Lemon: Calming and refreshing.
- Peppermint + Eucalyptus: Invigorating and fresh.
- Citrus Blend (Orange, Lemon, Lime): Bright and uplifting.
- Cinnamon + Clove: Warm and spicy—perfect for cozy environments.
- Now, it’s time to create your fragrance. Choose 2-3 drops of essential oil to add to the baking soda. If you prefer a stronger scent, you can add more drops (around 5-10, depending on your preference). Here are some popular essential oil combinations:
Mix Thoroughly:
- Use a spoon or stirring stick to mix the essential oils into the baking soda. The oils will disperse through the powder, and you should be left with a fragrant mixture. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the oils to absorb into the baking soda.
Set Up and Enjoy:
Place your homemade air freshener in a convenient location in your home, such as a bathroom, kitchen, or living room. Because the baking soda absorbs odors and the essential oils release a natural fragrance, your home will be filled with a pleasant scent.
If you want to refresh the scent, simply shake or stir the mixture again, adding a few more drops of essential oil if necessary.
Optional - Create a Ventilated Lid:
- If you’re using a mason jar or another container with a tight lid, create small holes in the lid or use a piece of fabric to cover the top. This will allow the scent to circulate while keeping the baking soda in place.
How to Use and Maintain Your DIY Air Freshener:
Long-Lasting: The fragrance from this air freshener will last for a couple of weeks to a month, depending on how often the jar is disturbed and the intensity of the scent. You can keep the jar in a high-traffic area to help the fragrance spread more effectively.
Replenishing the Scent: Over time, the essential oils may lose some potency. When this happens, just add a few more drops of your chosen essential oils to refresh the fragrance. If the baking soda looks clumpy or saturated with odor, replace it with a fresh batch.
Multiple Uses: You can create multiple jars for different rooms in your home or use this method to refresh areas like your closet, car, or even your shoes.
Avoid Overcrowding the Room: While this DIY air freshener is effective, it's important not to overuse it in a small room, as too much fragrance can become overpowering. A small jar placed strategically should be sufficient to freshen up the space without overwhelming the senses.
Why This Trick Works So Well
- Baking Soda’s Deodorizing Properties: Baking soda works by neutralizing acids and bases, which makes it effective at absorbing and neutralizing unpleasant odors. It doesn’t just mask bad smells like commercial air fresheners—it neutralizes them entirely.
- Essential Oils: These oils are naturally aromatic, and they offer a wide range of scents, from refreshing citrus to calming floral notes. Essential oils also have mood-boosting properties, adding an extra benefit beyond just making your home smell good.
Conclusion
Why spend a lot of money on store-bought air fresheners that are full of chemicals when you can create your own natural, inexpensive, and effective solution at home? With just a few cents, some baking soda, and a few drops of essential oils, you can have a fresh, fragrant home without the chemical additives or the cost of store-bought alternatives. This simple trick is not only budget-friendly but also customizable, eco-friendly, and healthier for both you and the environment. So, give it a try—your home will smell better, and your wallet will thank you!
